Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I have raised this time and again. As I said before, we have three ring-fenced beds and 12 beds in private hospitals. It is a potential killer. We debate the loss of life in this Chamber through drug abuse, road traffic accidents and even gang land killings, yet we do not recognise the seriousness of eating disorders and the terrible effects they have on our young people. Any time a debate is called for on eating disorders, it is sadly always raised by one of the female Senators. We should take it on. It is a potential killer; boys as young as seven suffer from it; it is on the increase; and its effects are carried through into adulthood. I thank Bodywhys for keeping all Members of this House informed on what is going on with this terrible issue.